Apple launches first foldable iPhone

Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the $1,999 Duo, which opens into a 7.6in display and will go on sale next month.

Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, entering a smartphone market where rivals including Samsung, Motorola and Google have already offered folding devices for several years.

Called the iPhone Duo, the device starts at $1,999 (£1,476), making it the most expensive iPhone Apple has released.

It will go on sale on October 23.

The Duo is roughly the size of a passport when closed and opens to reveal a 7.6in (19.3cm) display, the largest screen ever fitted to an iPhone.

The device can also be used with an Apple Pencil, bringing a feature previously associated with the iPad to Apple’s smartphone range.

Users can split the Duo’s display between two apps, or open two windows of the same website, which Apple said could be useful for tasks such as comparing products while shopping online.

John Ternus, Apple’s new chief executive, unveiled the device at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino.

He formally replaced Tim Cook as CEO on September 1.

Ternus said the Duo would “redefine the experience of using a foldable phone” as Apple seeks to make an impact in a category that remains relatively small.

The company also unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max at the event.

They will be available to pre-order from Saturday (12.09.26) starting at $1,199 (£885) and $1,299 (£959), respectively.

Apple said the new iPhones offer longer battery life and faster charging, with the Pro Max capable of up to 45 hours of video playback.

The camera system has also been upgraded with what Apple described as “cinematic effects”, alongside manual controls and “smart focus tracking” designed to keep a moving subject in focus.

New AirPods and an updated Apple Watch were also announced.

Forrester analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee said Apple’s decision to enter the foldable market after its rivals was “straight out of Apple’s playbook”, allowing competitors to establish the category while Apple waited for the technology to mature.

Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, said the Duo was “always going to eclipse Apple’s other announcements”, but noted that foldables still account for less than five per cent of the smartphone market.

The launch comes as Apple also tries to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence, following a series of AI announcements and upgrades to its Siri assistant earlier this year.